In a renewed effort to sanitize Abuja and address rising insecurity, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified its Operation Sweep Abuja Clean, targeting street beggars, illegal traders, scavengers, and criminal syndicates, including “one-chance” operators.
During a media briefing on Thursday, the Acting Director of Social Welfare at the Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Mrs. Gloria Onwuka, disclosed that a woman was recently apprehended for pretending to have breast cancer in order to beg for alms. Upon inspection, officials found no sign of any illness, revealing the deception.
“There is a woman we caught who claimed to have breast cancer,” Onwuka said. “When the bandages were removed, there was no sign of any wound. It was all fake.”
Mass Evacuation and Ongoing Operations
Onwuka revealed that 210 individuals, including 58 women, 72 children, and 80 men, have so far been evacuated from under bridges and public spaces across the city. The individuals, apprehended while actively soliciting alms, were transported to the FCT Rehabilitation Centre in Bwari for profiling before being relocated to their respective states of origin.
She raised concerns about the organized nature of street begging, noting that some individuals rent children from poor families to enhance their appeal while begging.
“These beggars have turned it into a business. Some families even rent out their children. Others are transported into Abuja from different states early in the morning and vanish by night,” she lamented.
Minister Wike Orders Aggressive Cleanup
Following public complaints about street crime and nuisances, FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike directed a more aggressive crackdown on destitute persons and criminal elements across the capital.
“We’ve evacuated 80 men, 58 women, and 72 children since the operation began,” Onwuka confirmed. “The streets of Abuja must be free of beggars and the insecurity they bring.”
She also shared an alarming incident involving a suspected “one-chance” operator arrested at 2 a.m. with a machete, multiple ATM cards, and a POS machine. Victims were reportedly forced to withdraw money under duress and threatened with violence.
Security Agencies Step In
Supporting the initiative, the Director of FCTA Security Services Department, Adamu Gwary—represented by Dr. Peter Olumuji—said the activities of street beggars pose significant security risks.
“Many of those apprehended have been involved in varying degrees of crime within the FCT,” Gwary stated. “The Minister has instructed the Commissioner of Police and relevant agencies to intensify operations and ensure the city is rid of all threats.”
He added that the clean-up has already covered major areas such as the city center, Kubwa, Gwarinpa, Asokoro, Garki, and Wuse, with plans to expand further.
Police Issue Warning Amid Okada Riders’ Threat
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has responded to a viral voice note circulating on social media, alleging a planned attack by commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) on Task Force officials in the Kubwa area.
In a statement issued by Police Spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, warned that any attempt to incite violence would be met with the full force of the law.
“Any group or individual plotting violent protests or attacks on law enforcement under any guise is warned to desist immediately,” the statement read. “This is not a threat but a firm assurance. We have the capacity and resolve to ensure peace and safety in the FCT.”
As a precautionary measure, residents in Kubwa and surrounding areas may observe increased police presence and operations in the coming days.
The Command urged residents to remain calm, continue their lawful activities, and report any suspicious movement via emergency numbers: 0803 200 3913 and 0806 158 1938.
The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting the lives and property of all residents.
